The Oscars to Depart ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin airing only on YouTube in 2029, marking the newest substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, confirming that it entered into a extended contract granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial shakeup in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will allow us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the awards show have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and laptops.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "among our essential cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated history".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, said that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
This shift comes as film industry giants confront challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were seen as concerning for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that reliance on online services will continue to grow.
